Following another successful County Championship game in town, bosses are confident Lancashire will return

Henry James

AFTER another successful County Championship game at Southport & Birkdale Cricket Club, bosses at the venue are confident Lancashire will return next year.

Nearly 6,000 people came to watch Lancashire beat Worcestershire over three days (August 29 – August 31).

Following the game the club's chairman Tony Elwood said: “Lancashire’s chairman, chief executive and director of cricket, who were all at the game, were as one in praising S&B’s hosting of the fixture.

“This was the final match of our unique three year staging agreement and, although we have yet to sit down with them to discuss whether to extend, renew or renegotiate the contract, I am confident that they will be returning in 2019.

“I was more than satisfied with the way everything panned out. We had nearly 6,000 spectators over the three days, better than last year when Saturday was completely rained out, but not as good as the Durham match in 2016, which went the full four days. Also, more people than ever took up our hospitality option, with more than 500 fans enjoying the best of what our catering partners D’vine Catering had to offer in the President’s Marquee.”

The Southport ground is proving to be popular with Lancashire supporters and Mr Elwood explained: “I like to think we go the extra mile and, so far as I am aware, we are the only outground in the Country to produce a match programme. We have also again commissioned a limited edition souvenir tie for this game, which has proved very popular. People will be able to try out our facilities this Sunday (September 9) from 11am at an Open Day.”

Mr Elwood was full of praise for a team of volunteers who helped organised the event. He commented: “We have a superb team of volunteers who help ensure that nothing is left to chance and everything goes to plan. The three days of the match are the culmination of months of planning and the team works really hard to make sure that the event is a success. I take my hat off to them and to the Club’s hardworking staff.”